Somfy is all about shade at CES 2019

Somfy, maker of smart shade motors and a smart home control platform, is showcasing a Zigbee 3.0 integration for smartening your existing window coverings.

It begins with the Tahoma gateway hub. The hub has a Zigbee 3.0 radio built in and with a corresponding local controller and the Tahoma app, you can customize and automate your motorized shades.

Shades can be set to gradually open, run on a schedule or be controlled via voice assistant. With Zigbee integration, you can also pair shades with other smart devices, like a smart plug, to automate both natural and artificial light together.

In addition to the gateway hub, Somfy is also releasing a scene launcher. Control multiple window coverings and connected devices with the touch of a finger on the remote control pad. Create personalized scenes within the Tahoma app and program up to five channels to activate each one.

The Somfy Scene Launcher controls you home's automated shades.

Somfy

The Tahoma app allows you to check the exact position of your shades remotely and control them while you're away from home. Compatibility with Somfy is planned for Amazon Alexa, IFTTT, Apple HomeKit, SamsungSmartThings and other third-party devices like Philips Hue and Sonos. Specific dates for those integrations aren't available yet, but Somfy will launch with Amazon Echo+ compatibility.

Somfy's new Tahoma shade smartening system is set for release in North America in the second quarter of 2019. Pricing information is not yet available.